SPECTACULAR CASED, ENGRAVED, GOLD & NICKEL COLT MODEL 1878 FRONTIER DA REVOLVER PRESENTED TO CAPT. JACK CRAWFORD BY COLT FIREARMS.

SPECTACULAR CASED, ENGRAVED, GOLD & NICKEL COLT MODEL 1878 FRONTIER DA REVOLVER PRESENTED TO CAPT. JACK CRAWFORD BY COLT FIREARMS. SN 233. Cal. 45 Colt. Extraordinary cuno Helfricht engraved Colt Model 1878 frontier DA revolver w/nickeled frame and gold-plated cylinder, mounted w/smooth 2-pc bird head pearl grips with a lanyard swivel in the butt. Engraving is undoubtedly from the Helfricht shop, probably by the master himself, with full coverage on the frame, consisting of foliate arabesque patters w/punch dot background and feather patters along the bottom front edges. Top strap and rear edge of the frame by the hammer slot are engraved w/snake and dot patterns which form an “X” on the panel behind the hammer w/four sets of four dots. Bbl is engraved in matching patterns w/a wavy border around the address and Moorish patterns toward the front sight. Ejector rod housing is also engraved in snake and dot patterns. Cyl is engraved w/alternating sunbursts and foliate arabesque patterns on the lands between the flutes w/a tight snake and dot pattern at the rear edge. Back strap is engraved in period script and block letters, “Presented to Capt Jack Crawford / by the Colts Patent Fire Arms Mfg. Co.” Back strap has a wavy line border which terminates in Moorish patterns at the swivel. Trigger guard is engraved in zig-zag Moorish patterns. Accompanied by its orig natural suede-covered presentation case w/royal purple velvet lining, recessed in the bottom for the revolver and a compartment for a 50-round cartridge box which contains an empty box for Winchester .45 cal. cartridges that has a green and black label w/a line drawing of an 1878 DA revolver w/the notation “FOR / COLT’S DOUBLE ACTION AND SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVERS”. It has orange band w/Colt’s and Winchester signatures. Top left corner inside the lid of the case has a black diagonally mounted ribbon embossed in gold “THIS HANDSOME COLTS REVOLVER WAS PRESENTED TO CAPT. JACK CRAWFORD, / “THE POET SCOUT” BY THE COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO., IT / BEING HIS FAVORITE MAKE OF REVOLVER, AND THE ONE HE RECOMMENDS / ABOVE ALL OTHERS FOR DURABILITY AND EFFECTIVE WORK.” Undoubtedly the folks at Colt intended for this presentation to become an effective advertisement for their company. Accompanied by a binder of information regarding Capt. Jack Crawford (1847-1917). Cap’n Jack was born John Wallace Crawford in Ireland in 1847 and immigrated w/his family to the United States in about 1854. His mother, Susan Wallace Crawford, was a direct descendant of Sir William Wallace, the famous Scottish chieftain who fought for the freedom of Scotland. His father was apparently an alcoholic coal miner in Pennsylvania. Early in the Civil War, Jack’s father enlisted in the Union army, forcing young Jack to work in the coal mines to support the family. As the war escalated, under-aged Jack attempted to also enlist, but was refused until finally being accepted in the Pennsylvania Regulars. He was wounded twice and while convalescing in a hospital near Philadelphia, one of the Catholic sister’s taught him to read and write. After the war, Jack returned to Pennsylvania and continued to support his family. In 1869 he married and fathered four children, three of whom survived.Cap’n Jack made his mother a death bed promise that he would never drink, a vow he kept throughout his life. Jack moved his family to New Mexico but continued his writing and story telling even becoming a newspaper reporter. The year 1875 found Cap’n Jack in Nebraska working as a journalist for several newspapers. He became enamored of the lure of the Black Hills gold strike and on a borrowed horse, made a trip into the Black Hills. After he arrived in Custer City, he was elected to the town council and continued his news reports and journalistic efforts to various newspapers about the Black Hills gold rush. In August 1875 he was appointed Captain of the newly formed Black Hills Ranger Militia. He became a military guide and scout and w/his flamboyant dress, manners and gift of poetry, became one of the region’s earliest celebrities. In July of 1876, just after the Custer massacre, Cap’n Jack was employed to carry dispatches to Gen Crook where he encountered Buffalo Bill Cody who was Gen Crook’s chief scout at the time. Buffalo Bill, in his autobiography, told of that meeting in which Cap’n Jack brought him a present of a bottle of whiskey, stating “I will say in passing, that I don’t believe there’s another scout in the west that would have brought a full bottle of whiskey 300 miles”. During that same meeting, Cap’n Jack gave Cody a letter from Gen Sheridan announcing that he was also appointed a scout. On August 24, 1876, Cap’n Jack replaced Buffalo Bill Cody as chief of scouts for the 5th Cavalry which was only three weeks after the murder of Wild Bill Hickok, his friend, in Deadwood. He scouted for Gen Crook and it was under that command when he would make his extraordinary, famous ride from the Battle of Slim Buttes, Northern Dakota Territory to Ft. Laramie, a distance of about 350 miles in four days. In the process, he killed two horses. Captain Jack Crawford was one of the historical giants of the emerging west who had the gift of poetry and writing and produced numerous poems, even writing an autobiography and book of poetry titled, The Poet Scout. He performed w/Buffalo Bill for a period of time. Also accompanied by a Colt factory letter fully identifying this revolver w/7-1/2″ bbl, nickel w/gold cyl, pearl stocks, factory engraved and shipped to Capt Jack Crawford, address unavailable on December 13, 1893 in a one-gun shipment. This revolver ranks amongst the finest, most historical firearms from the old west both in condition and historical importance. Cap’n Jack was a legend in his own time that survives today. PROVENANCE: Captain Jack Crawford; the Crawford family; Greg Martin; Mike Del Costello Collection; Fred Sweeney Collection. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, may have been fired but if so, very little. Overall retains about 98% strong, orig nickel w/a few very small, scattered spots of flaking. Screws, trigger and rear edge of hammer retain about all of their factory fire blue. Face of trigger is blue/gray patina. Cyl retains about 92-93% orig gold plating w/some minor pimpling. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore, may be unfired. Case is equally new w/one little tear in the lid covering and a few small nicks in the bottom w/very minor, light soil on the exterior. Interior is lightly soiled and retains its brilliant orig color. Cartridge box is very fine w/minor fading and a couple of water spots. An opportunity to own an exceptional piece of history. 4-38007 JR262 (175,000-225,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2122	$0.00	SPECTACULAR CASED, ENGRAVED, GOLD & NICKEL COLT MODEL 1878 FRONTIER DA REVOLVER PRESENTED TO CAPT. JACK CRAWFORD BY COLT FIREARMS. SN 233. Cal. 45 Colt. Extraordinary cuno Helfricht engraved Colt Model 1878 frontier DA revolver w/nickeled frame and gold-plated cylinder, mounted w/smooth 2-pc bird head pearl grips with a lanyard swivel in the butt. Engraving is undoubtedly from the Helfricht shop, probably by the master himself, with full coverage on the frame, consisting of foliate arabesque patters w/punch dot background and feather patters along the bottom front edges. Top strap and rear edge of the frame by the hammer slot are engraved w/snake and dot patterns which form an “X” on the panel behind the hammer w/four sets of four dots. Bbl is engraved in matching patterns w/a wavy border around the address and Moorish patterns toward the front sight. Ejector rod housing is also engraved in snake and dot patterns. Cyl is engraved w/alternating sunbursts and foliate arabesque patterns on the lands between the flutes w/a tight snake and dot pattern at the rear edge. Back strap is engraved in period script and block letters, “Presented to Capt Jack Crawford / by the Colts Patent Fire Arms Mfg. Co.” Back strap has a wavy line border which terminates in Moorish patterns at the swivel. Trigger guard is engraved in zig-zag Moorish patterns. Accompanied by its orig natural suede-covered presentation case w/royal purple velvet lining, recessed in the bottom for the revolver and a compartment for a 50-round cartridge box which contains an empty box for Winchester .45 cal. cartridges that has a green and black label w/a line drawing of an 1878 DA revolver w/the notation “FOR / COLT’S DOUBLE ACTION AND SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVERS”. It has orange band w/Colt’s and Winchester signatures. Top left corner inside the lid of the case has a black diagonally mounted ribbon embossed in gold “THIS HANDSOME COLTS REVOLVER WAS PRESENTED TO CAPT. JACK CRAWFORD, / “THE POET SCOUT” BY THE COLT’S PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO., IT / BEING HIS FAVORITE MAKE OF REVOLVER, AND THE ONE HE RECOMMENDS / ABOVE ALL OTHERS FOR DURABILITY AND EFFECTIVE WORK.” Undoubtedly the folks at Colt intended for this presentation to become an effective advertisement for their company. Accompanied by a binder of information regarding Capt. Jack Crawford (1847-1917). Cap’n Jack was born John Wallace Crawford in Ireland in 1847 and immigrated w/his family to the United States in about 1854. His mother, Susan Wallace Crawford, was a direct descendant of Sir William Wallace, the famous Scottish chieftain who fought for the freedom of Scotland. His father was apparently an alcoholic coal miner in Pennsylvania. Early in the Civil War, Jack’s father enlisted in the Union army, forcing young Jack to work in the coal mines to support the family. As the war escalated, under-aged Jack attempted to also enlist, but was refused until finally being accepted in the Pennsylvania Regulars. He was wounded twice and while convalescing in a hospital near Philadelphia, one of the Catholic sister’s taught him to read and write. After the war, Jack returned to Pennsylvania and continued to support his family. In 1869 he married and fathered four children, three of whom survived.Cap’n Jack made his mother a death bed promise that he would never drink, a vow he kept throughout his life. Jack moved his family to New Mexico but continued his writing and story telling even becoming a newspaper reporter. The year 1875 found Cap’n Jack in Nebraska working as a journalist for several newspapers. He became enamored of the lure of the Black Hills gold strike and on a borrowed horse, made a trip into the Black Hills. After he arrived in Custer City, he was elected to the town council and continued his news reports and journalistic efforts to various newspapers about the Black Hills gold rush. In August 1875 he was appointed Captain of the newly formed Black Hills Ranger Militia. He became a military guide and scout and w/his flamboyant dress, manners and gift of poetry, became one of the region’s earliest celebrities. In July of 1876, just after the Custer massacre, Cap’n Jack was employed to carry dispatches to Gen Crook where he encountered Buffalo Bill Cody who was Gen Crook’s chief scout at the time. Buffalo Bill, in his autobiography, told of that meeting in which Cap’n Jack brought him a present of a bottle of whiskey, stating “I will say in passing, that I don’t believe there’s another scout in the west that would have brought a full bottle of whiskey 300 miles”. During that same meeting, Cap’n Jack gave Cody a letter from Gen Sheridan announcing that he was also appointed a scout. On August 24, 1876, Cap’n Jack replaced Buffalo Bill Cody as chief of scouts for the 5th Cavalry which was only three weeks after the murder of Wild Bill Hickok, his friend, in Deadwood. He scouted for Gen Crook and it was under that command when he would make his extraordinary, famous ride from the Battle of Slim Buttes, Northern Dakota Territory to Ft. Laramie, a distance of about 350 miles in four days. In the process, he killed two horses. Captain Jack Crawford was one of the historical giants of the emerging west who had the gift of poetry and writing and produced numerous poems, even writing an autobiography and book of poetry titled, The Poet Scout. He performed w/Buffalo Bill for a period of time. Also accompanied by a Colt factory letter fully identifying this revolver w/7-1/2″ bbl, nickel w/gold cyl, pearl stocks, factory engraved and shipped to Capt Jack Crawford, address unavailable on December 13, 1893 in a one-gun shipment. This revolver ranks amongst the finest, most historical firearms from the old west both in condition and historical importance. Cap’n Jack was a legend in his own time that survives today. PROVENANCE: Captain Jack Crawford; the Crawford family; Greg Martin; Mike Del Costello Collection; Fred Sweeney Collection. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, may have been fired but if so, very little. Overall retains about 98% strong, orig nickel w/a few very small, scattered spots of flaking. Screws, trigger and rear edge of hammer retain about all of their factory fire blue. Face of trigger is blue/gray patina. Cyl retains about 92-93% orig gold plating w/some minor pimpling. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore, may be unfired. Case is equally new w/one little tear in the lid covering and a few small nicks in the bottom w/very minor, light soil on the exterior. Interior is lightly soiled and retains its brilliant orig color. Cartridge box is very fine w/minor fading and a couple of water spots. An opportunity to own an exceptional piece of history. 4-38007 JR262 (175,000-225,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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